The Art of Tea Essay
By: Olivia F. and Dylan L. Introduction
Tea in Japan is hundreds of years old and has such a rich history, to the point that tea has become part of the Japanese culture. However, tea originally came from China. The Japanese people have even created a ceremony to celebrate their favorite beverage, named tea. The tea ceremony is performed in many different ways, making it unique and different, from anything else. Cha-no-yu is what the tea ceremony means in English. The tea ceremony is something that can change the way you think about tea. Origin of Tea
Tea drinking in Japan started in the early Heian period. However tea only started to grow in Japan by the Nara period and was practically unknown in Japan because there were no records of tea until the Kamakura period. Tea originally came from China but was shipped to Japan by Eisai Myo-an (1141-1215). Eisai was a Buddhist monk that went to China and brought back exactly 1191 tea seeds and planted them in Japan. Eisai grew these plants for religious purposes only. Although, others used tea as a medicinal beverage. During this time, tea became a luxury in Japan because China was not exporting much of it. The tea Eisai grew was used for monks to stay awake during long periods of meditation, but by the early 14th century, the demand for tea had increased, also samurai were drinking it. Origin of the Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony was also brought to Japan from China by Japanese monks. The ceremony was used to make the monks meditation skills better. The ceremony started in the year 1333. It was started by people called gekokugo. They created the tea ceremony because they were interested in tea drinking and decided to play a game called tocha while having a nice cup of tea. This is exactly how the tea ceremony is conducted today but is very similar. The Tea Ceremony Steps
A tea ceremony has three different parts to it the preliminary, middle, and the final. In the first part of the tea ceremony the windows were covered with bamboo screens to make it dimmer in the room. During the middle part of the ceremony a very simple meal is served with sweet cakes. After the people in the ceremony are done eating, they relax for a while. The final part of the ceremony is called the nochiseki during this time the scroll replaced by a floral arrangement. The water jar, tea caddy, and tea utensils are placed where the ceremony takes place. When the host picks up the ladle it is a sign for the assistant to roll up the bamboo screens after this is done the room becomes bright. Then the host starts to perform the ceremony while the guests are supposed to be quiet and concentrate on the host’s movement. After the host is done the main guest will speak to the host while the others stay quiet. The silence continues after the tea has been drunk. When they are done drinking the tea the fire is smothered by adding more charcoal. The Tea Ceremony Uses
You may think that tea ceremonies have a set day and time that they have to have it. Even though you might think that there is a set time there isn’t. A tea ceremony can be held on any day. When it is held it is usually held around noon and usually not in the morning. During the ceremony the way you drink tea depends on the time of day.
The Tea Ceremony Meaning Tea ceremonies are held for various reasons for example celebrations, parties, friends, and family. The time of day and the occasion changes the formal time. Tea ceremonies have usually 5 people or less. Tea ceremonies show the focus that Japanese people have with the worlds. It shows that they have focus because they are silent throughout the whole entire tea ceremony. Tea ceremonies were also held for the monks before they had their long hours of meditation. A tea ceremony can also be held for a samurai because they need a place to clear their head during battle. When they drank tea in the ceremony they were allowed to meditate. They meditated to build up their confidence and self-discipline before they went back to battle.
Citations
Baker, Rosalie F. Editor." Chanoyu: The Tea Ceremony" Samurai. Peterborough: Calliope World History for Young People, 1993. Print.
By: Olivia F. and Dylan L.
Introduction
Tea in Japan is hundreds of years old and has such a rich history, to the point that tea has become part of the Japanese culture. However, tea originally came from China. The Japanese people have even created a ceremony to celebrate their favorite beverage, named tea. The tea ceremony is performed in many different ways, making it unique and different, from anything else. Cha-no-yu is what the tea ceremony means in English. The tea ceremony is something that can change the way you think about tea.
Origin of Tea
Tea drinking in Japan started in the early Heian period. However tea only started to grow in Japan by the Nara period and was practically unknown in Japan because there were no records of tea until the Kamakura period. Tea originally came from China but was shipped to Japan by Eisai Myo-an (1141-1215). Eisai was a Buddhist monk that went to China and brought back exactly 1191 tea seeds and planted them in Japan. Eisai grew these plants for religious purposes only. Although, others used tea as a medicinal beverage. During this time, tea became a luxury in Japan because China was not exporting much of it. The tea Eisai grew was used for monks to stay awake during long periods of meditation, but by the early 14th century, the demand for tea had increased, also samurai were drinking it.
Origin of the Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony was also brought to Japan from China by Japanese monks. The ceremony was used to make the monks meditation skills better. The ceremony started in the year 1333. It was started by people called gekokugo. They created the tea ceremony because they were interested in tea drinking and decided to play a game called tocha while having a nice cup of tea. This is exactly how the tea ceremony is conducted today but is very similar.
The Tea Ceremony Steps
A tea ceremony has three different parts to it the preliminary, middle, and the final. In the first part of the tea ceremony the windows were covered with bamboo screens to make it dimmer in the room. During the middle part of the ceremony a very simple meal is served with sweet cakes. After the people in the ceremony are done eating, they relax for a while. The final part of the ceremony is called the nochiseki during this time the scroll replaced by a floral arrangement. The water jar, tea caddy, and tea utensils are placed where the ceremony takes place. When the host picks up the ladle it is a sign for the assistant to roll up the bamboo screens after this is done the room becomes bright. Then the host starts to perform the ceremony while the guests are supposed to be quiet and concentrate on the host’s movement. After the host is done the main guest will speak to the host while the others stay quiet. The silence continues after the tea has been drunk. When they are done drinking the tea the fire is smothered by adding more charcoal.
The Tea Ceremony Uses
You may think that tea ceremonies have a set day and time that they have to have it. Even though you might think that there is a set time there isn’t. A tea ceremony can be held on any day. When it is held it is usually held around noon and usually not in the morning. During the ceremony the way you drink tea depends on the time of day.
The Tea Ceremony Meaning
Tea ceremonies are held for various reasons for example celebrations, parties, friends, and family. The time of day and the occasion changes the formal time. Tea ceremonies have usually 5 people or less. Tea ceremonies show the focus that Japanese people have with the worlds. It shows that they have focus because they are silent throughout the whole entire tea ceremony. Tea ceremonies were also held for the monks before they had their long hours of meditation. A tea ceremony can also be held for a samurai because they need a place to clear their head during battle. When they drank tea in the ceremony they were allowed to meditate. They meditated to build up their confidence and self-discipline before they went back to battle.
Citations
Baker, Rosalie F. Editor." Chanoyu: The Tea Ceremony" Samurai. Peterborough: Calliope World History for Young People, 1993. Print.
Chado-The Way of Tea. Class handout.
Kalman, Bobbie. Japan, the culture. Toronto: Crabtree Pub. Co., 1989. Print
Lee Karen, Tea in Japan, mcel.pacificu.edu. Pacific university. Web. 3-1-2012